Are your weekends filled with shopping and baking? We spent the day (seriously) at Ikea yesterday so technically we were shopping, but unfortunately it was not for holiday gifts! Our new apartment is lacking (understatement of the year) storage space so figuring out how we can fit everything into our place has been challenging to say the least. I *think* we’ve come up with some good solutions, though Richie might be putting together Ikea stuff until 2016.

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I’m determined to bake at least one cookie this year, but I have no idea what yet! I know most people stick with their family tradition cookies, but if you need some inspiration, check out 32 Cookie Recipes for Holidays and More from Bon Appétit. (And if you have a favorite, link below, I’d love to see what you are baking!)

If your holiday brunches include a bit of booze, please drink some of this Breakfast Sangria for me!

Hi, hi! After quite the work week, yesterday was full of relaxing activities: coffee + laptop in the morning, a yoga class, whole foods salad bar and an afternoon in the kitchen working on a few recipes. Oh! And ordering some curtains for the baby room. I wish I could say, “It’s really coming together!” but that would be a total lie. I have curtains (in the mail). And that’s about it. But you have to start somewhere! If you have any registry/nursery recommendations, I’m all ears…

recommended reading:

Is there anything better than cinnamon toast? It’s been years since I’ve had it but after two references to cinnamon toast this week I’ve decided that cream cheese cinnamon toast brulee is necessary this week.

I love making food gifts over the holidays – especially ones that aren’t necessarily sweet and need to be eaten right away. 40 Homemade Gifts from The Kitchn has a great list of cookies, candies, nuts and cocktail mixers to choose from.

Hi! How was your Thanksgiving and long weekend? After a weekend of moving and an extremely busy week at work, I was more than ready for a few extra days off. Thanksgiving was perfect, I’m starting to feel settled in our new place and yesterday I took my first Khalsa Pregnancy Yoga class, which was a mix of gentle yoga postures, breathing and meditation. It was hippy and lovely.

We are pretty much moved into the new place! As with any move, it has not been without hiccups. No power in our new apartment for example. That’s fun. But we should be unpacked and semi-settled within the next few days so I can’t complain too much. And it’s a short week! I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving and a few days at home next weekend (with perhaps some black friday online shopping!).

For the REAL meal, I’m in charge of a kale salad and while I haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to make, umami-rich and creamy dressings always work well with kale. 6 Ways to Dress Your Kale Salad. (There is a good chance that I’ll keep it really simple and light with the version I mentioned last week.)

Hi, I’m Emily

I spend my days working to ensure that low-income families have enough nutritious food and my nights doing the same, but for my family. I love playing in the kitchen, creating simple, fresh and nutritious meals. My husband and I live in LA (via Wisconsin) and are new-ish parents to one-year-old baby girl, Demi! Read More…